Vacuum device for substance extraction

ABSTRACT

A vacuum device and method for extraction of a substance from a fluid source, the vacuum device including an upper member that may be selectively, and operably, connected to a lower member. The upper member defines a bottom opening, and has a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the bottom opening. The vacuum pump is selectively coupled to an energy source. The lower member defines an inner cavity, a first opening, and a second opening, the inner cavity in communication with the first opening and the second opening. An elastic membrane defining an interior cavity is disposed in the inner cavity and is coupled to the first opening of the lower member. In use, the second opening of the lower member in placed in selective fluid communication with the fluid source, and the lower member is selectively coupled to the upper member such that the vacuum pump is electrically coupled to the energy source and the bottom opening of the upper member is in sealed contact with the first opening of the lower member so that the vacuum pump is in fluid communication with the interior cavity defined by the elastic membrane. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R § 1.72(b).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of substanceextraction devices and, more particularly, to a vacuum device forextraction, and assessment, of a substance from a source.

SUMMARY

[0002] In accordance with the purposes of the invention, as embodied andbroadly described herein, this invention, in one aspect, relates to avacuum device and method for extraction of a substance from a source,such as a fluid source. The vacuum device includes an upper member thatmay be selectively, and operably, connected to a lower member. The uppermember defines a bottom opening, and has a vacuum pump in fluidcommunication with the bottom opening. The vacuum pump is selectivelycoupled to an energy source. The lower member defines an inner cavity, afirst opening, and a second opening, the inner cavity in communicationwith the first opening and the second opening. An elastic membranedefining an interior cavity is disposed in the inner cavity of the lowermember and is coupled to the first opening of the lower member.

[0003] In use; the second opening of the lower member in placed inselective fluid communication with the fluid source, and the lowermember is selectively coupled to the upper member such that the vacuumpump is electrically coupled to the energy source and the bottom openingof the upper member is in sealed contact with the first opening of thelower member. Thus, the vacuum pump may be placed in fluid communicationwith the interior cavity defined by the elastic membrane.

[0004] The membrane is movable from a first relaxed position, in whichthe exterior surface of the membrane is in contact with an inner surfaceof the inner cavity of the lower member proximate the second opening ofthe lower member, to a second operative position, in which portions ofthe membrane proximate the second opening are drawn away from the innersurface of the inner cavity and toward the first opening of the lowermember so that a fluid cavity, in communication with the second openingof the lower member, is defined. The membrane moves from the firstrelaxed position to the second operative position upon application ofvacuum to the interior cavity due to the actuation of the vacuum pump sothat vacuum is applied to the second opening of the lower member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0005] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in andconstitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodimentsof the invention and together with the description, serve to explain theprincipals of the invention.

[0006]FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an exemplified structureof the upper member of the present invention.

[0007]FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of an exemplified structureof the lower member of the present invention showing a fluid conduitacting as a fluid source.

[0008]FIG. 3 is a partial side cross-sectional view of an exemplifiedstructure of the selectable connected upper member and lower member ofthe present invention, the upper member showing a male port dependingfrom a bottom surface of the upper member, the port defining a bottomopening in the upper member, the bottom opening in communication with avacuum pump, the lower member showing a first opening and a secondopening in communication with an inner cavity of the lower member.

[0009]FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of an exemplified structureof the present invention showing the upper member selectively connectedto the lower member and a membrane, disposed therein the lower member,in a first relaxed position, in which an exterior surface of themembrane is in contact with an inner surface of the inner cavity of thelower member proximate the second opening of the lower member.

[0010]FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of an exemplified structureof the present invention showing the upper member selectively connectedto the lower member and a membrane, disposed therein the lower member,in a second operative position, in which portions of the membraneproximate the second opening are drawn away from the inner surface ofthe inner cavity and toward the first opening of the lower member sothat a fluid cavity, in communication with the second opening of thelower member, is defined.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention may be understood more readily by referenceto the following detailed description of the various embodiments of theinvention and the Figures. The present invention is more particularlydescribed in the following examples that are intended to be illustrativeonly since numerous modifications and variations therein will beapparent to those skilled in the art. As used in the specification andin the claims, the singular form “a,” “an” and “the” include pluralreferents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0012] Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately”one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” anotherparticular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodimentcomprises from the one particular value and/or to the other particularvalue. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use ofthe antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular valueforms another embodiment.

[0013] The present invention is directed to a vacuum device 10 andsystem for providing a vacuum source. In various embodiments, thepresent invention may be applied in situation where substances need tobe extracted and/or monitored for its characteristics. For example, thepresent invention may be used to provide a vacuum to extract fluid froma biological tissue and to measure the contents of the fluids forcertain characteristic analytes including, without limitation, aceticacid, pH, glucose, lactic acid, C02, and various vitamins and nutrients.Furthermore, the fluid can be any type of biological fluid including,without limitation, blood, interstitial fluid, urea, sweat, plasma andlymph.

[0014] As depicted in FIGS. 1-5, the vacuum device 10 of the presentinvention preferably comprises an upper member 20, a lower member 40, avacuum pump 60, an energy source 80, and an elastic membrane 100. Theupper member 20 has a bottom surface 22 defining a bottom opening 24.The lower member 40, which is selectively coupled to the upper member20, has a first surface 42 and an opposed second surface 46. When thelower member 40 is coupled to the upper member 20 at least a portion ofthe first surface 42 of the lower member 40 adjoins a portion of thebottom surface 22 of the upper member 20. The lower member 40 defines afirst opening 44 in the first surface 42, a second opening 48 in thesecond surface 46, and an inner cavity 50 having an inner surface 52. Asone will appreciate, the first opening 44 and the second opening 48 arein fluid communication with the inner cavity 50 of the lower member 40.

[0015] The elastic membrane 100 is disposed therein the inner cavity 50of the lower member 40 and is coupled to the first opening 44 of thelower member 40. The elastic membrane 100 has an interior surface 102and an exterior surface 104. When disposed in the inner cavity 50 of thelower member 40, the elastic membrane 100 generally forms a pouch 106which defines an interior cavity 108 that is in communication with thefirst opening 44 of the lower member 40. As one will appreciate, bystoring gas 120, for example, oxygen, in the pouch 106 formed by theelastic membrane 100, the pouch 106 may be expanded so that at least aportion of the exterior surface 104 of the membrane 100 is placed intocontact with a portion of the inner surface 52 of the inner cavity 50 ofthe lower member 40. It is preferred that, when the pouch 106 isexpanded, at least the portion of the exterior surface 104 of theelastic membrane 100 proximate the second opening 48 be in contact withportions of the inner surface 52 proximate the second opening 48 of thelower member 40. The gas 120 may be any suitable non-toxic gas capableof being stored in the pouch 106. The elastic membrane 100 is preferablymade of polyurethrane or other non-rigid material capable of containingthe gas 120 until the gas 120 is released from the pouch 106.

[0016] The vacuum pump 60 is disposed therein the upper body and is inselective electrical contact with the energy source 80. The vacuum pump60 is in fluid communication with the bottom opening 24 of the uppermember 20. An example of one suitable vacuum pump 60 is exemplified byan electrochemical pump made by Med-e-Cell and which are subject to U.S.Pat. No. 4,648,955, U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,413, U.S. Pat. No. 5,334,304,and U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,822, which are incorporated by reference to theextent that they are not inconsistent.

[0017] The energy source 80 activates the vacuum pump 60 for withdrawinggas 120 from the interior cavity 108 of the membrane. As shown in thefigures, in one preferred example, the energy source 80 is disposed inthe lower member 40. Any energy source 80 may be suitable. Theseinclude, without limitation, a battery, direct current, and aphotoreceptor cell. According to certain embodiments, the energy source80 is a battery capable of producing 1.5V to 3V and may produce acurrent of approximately 5 milliamps.

[0018] Thus, in use, the upper member 20 and lower member 40 are coupledtogether in overlying registration and aligned such that the energysource 80 is electrically coupled to the vacuum pump 60 and the bottomopening 24 of the upper member 20 mates to the first opening 44 of thefirst surface 42 of the lower member 40 so that a seal exists betweenthe bottom opening 24 and the first opening 44. As one will appreciate,when the bottom opening 24 and the first opening 44 are in sealedcontact with each other, the vacuum pump 60 is in fluid communicationwith the interior cavity 108 of the elastic membrane 100.

[0019] Referring particularly to FIG. 3, the vacuum device 10 may alsocomprise a rupturable membrane 130 disposed on the first surface 42 ofthe lower member 40 in overlying registration with the first opening 44of the lower member 40. In an unruptured state, the rupturable membrane130 seals the gas 120 therein the interior cavity 108 of the elasticmembrane 100 (i.e., within the formed “pouch” 106). To open therupturable membrane 130 and to affect a more secure seal between thefirst opening 44 and the bottom opening 24, the bottom surface 22 of theupper member 20 may have a male port 26 that depends from the bottomsurface 22. The apex of the male port 26 preferably defines the bottomopening 24 of the upper member 20.

[0020] Referring back generally to FIGS. 1-5, as one will appreciate,when the upper member 20 is placed into overlying registration with thelower member 40, the male port 26 penetrates and passes through therupturable membrane 130 and into a portion of the first opening 44 toplace the vacuum pump 60 into fluid communication with the gas 120contained therein the pouch 106 formed by the elastic membrane 100.

[0021] To further enhance the seal between the bottom opening 24 and thefirst opening 44, a pliable gasket 136 may be disposed on a portion ofthe bottom surface 22 of the upper member 20 proximate the male port 26.It is preferred that the pliable gasket 136 extend circumferentiallyabout the base of the male port 26. As one will appreciate, the pliablegasket 136 is interposed between a portion of the bottom surface 22 anda portion of the first surface 42 when the upper member 20 and lowermember 40 are coupled together, which aids in preventing gas 120 fromleaking from the interior cavity 108.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the elastic membrane 100 is movablefrom a first relaxed position, in which the exterior surface 104 of theelastic membrane 100 is in contact with the inner surface 52 of theinner cavity 50 of the lower member 40 proximate the second opening 48of the lower member 40, to a second operative position, in whichportions of the elastic membrane 100 proximate the second opening 48 aredrawn away from the inner surface 52 of the inner cavity 50 and towardthe first opening 44 of the lower member 40 so that a fluid cavity 56,in communication with the second opening 48 of the lower member 40, isdefined by the exterior surface 104 of the portions of the elasticmembrane 100 proximate to and spaced from the second opening 48 and theportions of the “exposed” inner surface 52 of the inner cavity 50 of thelower member 40 that extend from the second opening 48 to where theexterior surface 104 of the elastic membrane 100 contacts the innersurface 52 of the inner cavity 50 of the lower member 40. The elasticmembrane 100 moves from the first relaxed position to the secondoperative position in response to the application of vacuum to theinterior cavity 108 as a result of the actuation of the vacuum pump 60.

[0023] As one will further appreciate, as the pouch 106 decreases insize, the fluid cavity 56 expands therein the inner cavity 50 of thelower member 40. As a result, the expanding fluid cavity 56 creates avacuum source from which a substance, such as fluid or a gas, can bedrawn in through the second opening 48 of the lower member 40. Dependingon the embodiment, the present invention either directly draw fluiddirectly from a surface 2 acting as a fluid source, such as, forexample, a biological membrane, to which the second surface 46 of thelower member 40 may be attached. Alternatively, the vacuum device 10invention could indirectly draw fluid via a fluid conduit 4 thatconnects the second opening 48 of the lower member 40 of the vacuumdevice 10 to the fluid source of the fluid from which it is drawing.

[0024] As the vacuum device 10 draws in the substance into the fluidcavity 56 created by the shrinking pouch 106, the fluid cavity 56 may beused for storing the substance within the inner cavity 50 of the lowermember 40. In this embodiment, the vacuum device 10 includes a one-waystop valve [not shown] disposed in the second opening 48 of the lowermember 40. The stop valve is oriented inwardly toward the inner cavity50 of the lower member 40 to allow for one-way passage of substancesinto the fluid cavity 56.

[0025] According to several embodiments of the present invention, theupper and lower members 20, 40 of the vacuum device 10 may be separatecomponents that are coupled together in proper overlying registrationwhen it is desired to activate the vacuum device 10. However, it iscontemplated that the upper and lower members 20, 40 of the vacuumdevice 10 may be integrated into one cohesive unit with the properalignment of electrical connections and respective openings alreadyachieved and maintained. In this example, the vacuum device 10 does notactivate as a result of the coupling of the upper and lower members 20,40. Depending on the application of the present invention, both types ofembodiments may perform the same function and produce the same result.Nevertheless, applications where a disposable component is desired maybe better served by embodiments where the upper member 20 and lowermember 40 exist as separate components that activate the vacuum device10 upon the proper overlying registration of the upper and lower members20, 40.

[0026] To aid in the proper overlying registration of the upper andlower members 20, 40 (i.e., to insure that the respective electricalcontacts and openings in proper alignment and connection), the upper andlower members 20, 40 of the vacuum device 10 may have complementaryengaging elements. In one example, the upper member 20 may have a maleengaging element 150 that depends from a circumferential edge of theupper member 20 and the lower member 40 may have a circumferentiallyextending female engaging element 152. Aa one will appreciate, the maleengaging element 150 and the female engaging element 152 arecomplementarily sized so that, when the upper and lower members 20, 40are selectively coupled together, a complementary interference fit isformed.

[0027] When the male and female engaging elements 150, 152 areconnected, and the respective electrical connections are coupled andrespective complementary openings are properly aligned, the vacuumdevice 10 can become activated. As noted above, it is contemplated, incertain embodiments, that the upper and lower members 20, 40 havecomplementary upper and lower electrical contacts 90, 92 which may ormay not be in addition to the complementary engaging elements 150, 152.In such embodiments, the upper electrical contact 90 is also furtherelectrically coupled to the vacuum pump 60 and the lower electricalcontact 92 is electrically coupled to the energy source 80. When theelectrical contacts 90, 92 are properly aligned upon the properoverlying registration of the upper and lower member 40 s, the energysource 80 becomes activated so that the vacuum pump 60 is activated.When the upper member 20 and lower member 40 are not properly aligned orare disengaged (i.e., they are not in operative contact with eachother), the electrical contacts 90, 92 are not in contact so that theenergy source 80 cannot activate the vacuum pump 60 which consequentlyleaves the vacuum device 10 in an inoperable state.

[0028] The present invention has many useful applications where a vacuumsource for fluids is desired. For example, the present invention may beused in a system where biological fluids are being monitored either on adiscrete or continual basis. In such applications, embodiments of thevacuum device 10 may further comprise an assay sensor 160. Theembodiments may further comprise a pressure pump 170, a fluid reservoir180, and a fluid conduit 190.

[0029] In one example, the pressure pump 170 is disposed therein theupper member 20 and is in fluid communication with a pressure opening172 defined in the bottom surface 22 of the upper member 20. Thepressure opening 172 is preferably spaced from the bottom opening 24 ofthe upper member 20. The pressure pump 170 is selectively coupled to theenergy source 80.

[0030] The fluid reservoir 180 is disposed therein the lower member 40and is in fluid communication with a third opening 182 defined in thefirst surface 42 of the lower member 40. A calibration fluid 184 isdisposed therein the fluid reservoir 180. The third opening 182 ispreferably spaced from the first opening 44 of the lower member 40. Thefluid conduit 190 has a proximal end 192 and an opposing distal end 194.The proximal end 192 of the fluid conduit 190 is coupled to the fluidreservoir 180 and the distal end 194 is coupled to a port 196 defined inthe inner surface 52 of the inner cavity 50 of the lower member 40. Theport 196 is preferably proximate the second opening 48 of the lowermember 40 and is in fluid communication with the inner cavity 50 of thelower member 40.

[0031] The assay sensor 160 is preferably disposed on the inner surface52 of the inner cavity 50 of the lower member 40 proximate the secondopening 48 of the lower member 40. It is preferred that the assay sensor160 be disposed on the inner surface 52 in close proximity to the port196 defined in the inner surface 52 of the inner cavity 50 of the lowermember 40. The assay sensor 160 is capable of sensing a characteristicof the fluid. The characteristic may include, but are not limited to,for example, pH, glucose, lactic acid, carbon dioxide, vitamin, andmineral.

[0032] In use, when the upper and lower members 20, 40 are coupledtogether in proper overlying registration, the bottom opening 24 of theupper member 20 is in sealed contact with the first opening 44 of thelower member 40, the pressure opening 172 of the upper member 20 is insealed contact with the third opening 182 of the lower member 40, andthe pressure pump 170 is electrically coupled to the energy source 80for actuation of the pressure pump 170. In this configuration, thepressure pump 170 is in fluid communication with the calibration fluid184 within the fluid reservoir 180. The pressure pump 170 is moveablefrom a first de-energized position, in which the pressure pump 170 isdeactivated and pressure is not communicated to the calibration fluid184 in the fluid reservoir 180 of the lower member 40, to a secondenergized position, in which pressure is communicated to the calibrationfluid 184 in the fluid reservoir 180 of the lower member 40 from thepressure pump 170 upon actuation of the pressure pump 170.

[0033] Once the upper and lower members 20, 40 are coupled in properoverlying registration, the pressure pump 170 is in fluid communication,via the port 196, with the assay sensor 160. As noted above, the assaysensor 160 may be configured to measure characteristics of the fluid. Incertain embodiments, the assay sensor 160 acts in conjunction with thecalibration fluid 184 flowing out of the port 196 from the fluidreservoir 180 for appropriate measurements of the desiredcharacteristics.

[0034] The upper member 20 further comprises a system controller 200that further comprises of a processor 202, a transmitter 204, and acircuit card assembly 206(CCA) that can control various aspects of theoperation of the system once activated. The system controller 200 ispreferably disposed therein the upper member 20 and is electricallycoupled to the assay sensor 160 and the energy source 80. As one willappreciate, the system controller 200 may also be preferablyelectrically coupled to the vacuum pump 60 and the pressure pump 170. Inthis example, the system controller 200 can control the flow rate of thevacuum pump 60. In one embodiment, the system controller 200 controlsthe vacuum pump 60 such that the flow rate is approximately 9 inches ofvacuum to flow 8 microliters per hour through the second opening 48 ofthe lower member 40. The system controller 200 can then process thecharacteristic of the fluid being drawn into the fluid cavity 56 via thesecond opening 48. As the fluid is passed into the fluid cavity 56, itpasses across the assay sensor 160.

[0035] As one will appreciate, while the fluid is being analyzed andmeasured, the system controller 200 can also activate the pressure pump170 when needed such that the pressure pump 60 induces a positivepressure into the fluid reservoir 180 so that calibration fluid 184 isexuded from the port 196 across the assay sensor 160 to assist the assaysensor 160 in sensing the desired characteristics. In certainembodiments, the fluid drawn into the vacuum device 10 is interstitialfluid and the characteristic is glucose. However, as mentioned above,the present invention may applied to monitor any fluid for anycharacteristics capable of being measured. Moreover, as the assay sensor160 measures the characteristic, the system controller 200 can furthertransmit the results to a display 210 located on the vacuum device 10 oralternatively, to a remote display.

[0036] Thus, according to these embodiments, the vacuum device 10 canbecome operational when: (1) the upper member 20 and the lower member 40are coupled in proper overlying registration so that a seal is createdbetween the respective complementary opening of the upper and lowermembers 20, 40; (2) the corresponding complementary openings within therespective upper and lower members 20, 40 are properly aligned; and (3)the complementary electrical contacts 90, 92 of the upper and lowermembers 20, 40 become properly aligned such that the alignment triggersthe system controller 200 to activate the energy source 80 which in turnwill activate the vacuum pump 60, the pressure pump 170, the assaysensor 160 and the transmitter 204. If the embodiment is where thedisplay 210 is also on the vacuum device 10, then the system controller200 will activate the display reading as well via the energy source 80.

[0037] As the upper and lower members 20, 40 are brought into closeproximity to one another, the male port 26 of the upper member 20contacts the rupturable membrane 130 and eventually ruptures it as theproper registration and coupling is achieved. When the vacuum device 10is properly coupled, the energy source 80 activates the pressure pump170 and the vacuum pump 60. The vacuum pump 60 pulls the gas 120, forexample, oxygen, from the pouch 106 which it now is in fluidcommunication as a result of the penetration of the rupturable membrane130. As the vacuum pump 60 pulls the gas 120 from within the pouch 106,a vacuum source is created within the inner cavity 50 of the lowermember 40 as a result of the gas 120 exiting the pouch 106 and theconsequent decreasing size of the pouch 106 which no longer fills theinner cavity 50. As a result the negative pressure created by the vacuumsource allows for fluid to be drawn in through the second opening 48 ofthe lower member 40 into the formed fluid cavity 56.

[0038] The invention has been described herein in considerable detail,in order to comply with the Patent Statutes and to provide those skilledin the art with information needed to apply the novel principles, and toconstruct and use such specialized components as are required. However,it is to be understood that the invention can be carried out byspecifically different equipment and devices, and that variousmodification, both as to equipment details and operating procedures canbe affected without departing from the scope of the invention itself.Further, it should be understood that, although the present inventionhas been described with reference to specific details of certainembodiments thereof, it is not intended that such details should beregarded as limitations upon the scope of the invention except as and tothe extent that they are included in the accompanying claims.

We claim:
 1. A vacuum device for extraction of a substance, comprising:an upper member having a bottom surface, the bottom surface defining abottom opening; a vacuum pump therein the upper member, the vacuum pumpin fluid communication with the bottom opening; an energy sourceselectively coupled to the vacuum pump; a lower member selectivelycoupled to the upper member, the lower member having a first surface, anopposing second surface, and defining an inner cavity having an innersurface, wherein the first surface defines a first opening and thesecond surface defines a second opening, the second opening of the lowermember in selective fluid communication with the fluid source, andwherein the inner cavity is in fluid communication with the firstopening and the second opening; and an elastic membrane disposed thereinthe inner cavity and coupled to the first opening of the lower member,the membrane having an interior surface and an exterior surface, themembrane forming a generally pouch shape defining an interior cavitythat is in communication with the first opening of the lower member,wherein at least a portion of the exterior surface of the membrane is incontact with a portion of the inner surface of the inner cavity of thelower member, and wherein, in use, the lower member is selectivelycoupled to the upper member such that the energy source is electricallycoupled to the vacuum pump and the bottom opening of the upper member isin sealed contact with the first opening of the lower member so that thevacuum pump is in fluid communication with the interior cavity of theelastic membrane.
 2. The vacuum device of claim 1, wherein the uppermember has a male engaging element depending from a circumferential edgeof the upper member, and wherein the lower member has acircumferentially extending female engaging element, the male engagingelement and the female engaging element complementarily sized for acomplementary interference fit when the upper and lower members areselectively connected together.
 3. The vacuum device of claim 1, whereinthe second surface of the lower member is mountable on a biologicalmembrane so that the second opening of the lower member is positionedproximate the biological membrane for withdrawl of the substance fromthe biological membrane.
 4. The vacuum device of claim 1, wherein theenergy source is disposed therein the lower member.
 5. The vacuum deviceof claim 1, wherein the membrane is movable from a first relaxedposition, in which the exterior surface of the membrane is in contactwith the inner surface of the inner cavity of the lower member proximatethe second opening of the lower member, to a second operative position,in which portions of the membrane proximate the second opening are drawnaway from the inner surface of the inner cavity and toward the firstopening of the lower member so that a fluid cavity, in communicationwith the second opening of the lower member, is defined by the exteriorsurface of the portions of the membrane proximate the second opening andthe portions of the inner surface of the inner cavity of the lowermember extending from the second opening to the contact of the exteriorsurface of the membrane with the inner surface of the inner cavity,wherein the membrane moves from the first relaxed position to the secondoperative position upon application of vacuum to the interior cavity dueto the actuation of the vacuum pump so that vacuum is applied to thesecond opening of the lower member.
 6. The vacuum device of claim 1,further comprising a rupturable membrane disposed thereon the firstsurface of the lower member in overlying registration with the firstopening of the lower member.
 7. The vacuum device of claim 6, furthercomprising a gas sealed therein the interior cavity of the membrane bythe rupturable membrane. 8 The vacuum device of claim 7, wherein thebottom surface of the upper member has a male port depending from thebottom surface, the male port defining the bottom opening of the uppermember, wherein the first opening of the lower member has a female shapecomplementary to the male port of the upper member.
 9. The vacuum deviceof claim 8, further comprising a pliable gasket in contact with aportion of the bottom surface of the upper member proximate the maleport.
 10. The vacuum device of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface ofthe upper member defines a pressure opening, wherein the first surfaceof the lower member defines a third opening, and wherein the innersurface of the lower member defines a port, proximate the second openingof the lower member, in communication with the inner cavity of the lowermember, further comprising: a pressure pump disposed therein the uppermember, the pressure pump selectively coupled to the energy source andin fluid communication with the pressure opening of the upper member; afluid reservoir disposed therein the lower member, the fluid reservoirin fluid communication with the third opening in the lower member; acalibration fluid disposed therein the fluid reservoir; and a fluidconduit having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end coupledto the fluid reservoir, the distal end coupled to the port of the lowermember, wherein, in use, the lower member is selectively coupled to theupper member such that the pressure pump is electrically coupled to theenergy source and the pressure opening of the upper member is in sealedcontact with the third opening of the lower member so that the pressurepump is in fluid communication with the port of the lower member. 11.The vacuum device of claim 10, wherein the pressure pump is moveablefrom a first de-energized position, in which the pressure pump isdeactivated and pressure is not communicated to the fluid in the fluidreservoir of the lower member, to a second energized position, in whichpressure is communicated to the fluid in the fluid reservoir of thelower member from the pressure pump upon actuation of the pressure pump.12. The vacuum device of claim 10, futher comprising: an assay sensordisposed on the inner surface of the inner cavity of the lower memberproximate the second opening in the lower member; and a systemcontroller electrically coupled to the assay sensor and the energysource.
 13. The vacuum device of claim 12, wherein the system controlleris electrically coupled to the vacuum source and the pressure pump. 14.The vacuum device of claim 12, wherein the assay sensor extendscircumferentially about the second opening in the lower member.
 15. Thevacuum device of claim 12, wherein the assay sensor is disposed on theinner surface proximate the port.
 16. The vacuum device of claim 12,wherein the assay sensor can sense a characteristic of the fluidselected from a group consisting of pH, glucose, lactic acid, carbondioxide, vitamin, and mineral.
 17. The vacuum device of claim 12,wherein the system controller comprises: a circuit card assemblydisposed therein the upper member; a processor electrically coupled tothe circuit card assembly; and a transmitter electrically coupled to thecircuit card assembly.
 18. The vacuum device of claim 12, furthercomprising: at least one upper electrical contact disposed on the bottomsurface of the upper member, the upper electrical contact electricallycoupled to the system controller; and at least one lower electricalcontact disposed on the first surface of the lower member, the lowerelectrical contact electrically coupled to the assay sensor, wherein, inuse, the lower member is selectively coupled to the upper member suchthat the upper electrical contact is in contact with the lowerelectrical contact to complete the electrical coupling of the systemcontroller and the assay sensor.
 19. The vacuum device of claim 18,wherein the lower electrical contact is electrically coupled to theenergy source.
 20. The vacuum device of claim 5, further comprising aone-way stop valve disposed in the second opening of the lower member;the stop valve oriented inwardly toward the inner cavity of the lowermember to allow one-way passage of substance into the fluid cavity.